Theory of Character Theoretical Review
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character because the characters’ point of view to the others characters are different from the writer 1972: 162.
3. Speech The readers can use the conversation or dialogue in the novel as a clue
to know about the character. The readers can find the character based on what the character says or from the opinion of the other characters speech
1972: 164. We can conclude that we have to read the novel in details. 4. Past Life
The event that happens in the past can be used to determine character in the novel 1972: 166. It helps the readers know the reasons why he she has
certain behaviour and it also leads the readers to learn the changes of the characters.
5. Conversation with others It is the same as speech but it emphasizes on the conversation between the
character that want to reveal the character and the role of the character 1972: 167. The matters that are said by the characters often give as a clue
to their character. 6. Reactions
Reactions from one character toward other characters lead the reader to find character in the novel 1972: 168. Reactions toward the situations and
events also describe about the character, how the character face the situation and the events that happen around the character.
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7. Direct comment The author can describe or comment on the character directly 1972:
170. The description is clearly stated in the novel. It makes the readers easily know about the characters.
8. Thoughts In certain novel the author gives us direct knowledge of what the
characters think 1972: 171. The author explains more and gives the clue of someone’s character using it. The explanation also invites the readers as
the person in the character. 9. Mannerism
The author tells about a person’s mannerism, habits, or idiosyncrasies, which tell us something about his characters 1972: 173. The author gives
complete description about the characters. Two theories above show that there are many ways of revealing character in the
novel. In Murphy’s theory, there are 9 ways of revealing character. The writer uses this theory in order to know characters’ traits in the novel. Meanwhile Rohberger and
Wood’s theory is used by the writer to know the way of revealing character by the author especially in the novel A Painted House.
Novel could not be separated from characterization, Rohberger and Woods state in their book Characterization is the process by which an authors creates
character, the device by which he makes us believe a character is a particular type of person he is 1971: 180. The characterization can be presented in two ways, they are:
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1. Direct Presentation The character is described directly by the author. This method tells the
character in expository or there is someone else explain about the character what they are like in order to make the reader understand about the
characters 1974: 69 2. Indirect Presentation
The character is presented from what they think, say and do in the novels. The reader can also catch the character from the characters’ action in the
novel 1974: 69